Sen. Rob Portman sitting on $5 million - but why?

If the Ohio Republican does decide to throw his hat in the White House ring, though, he’s already amassing a big campaign war chest that he could use to launch a national bid. According to figures obtained by The Enquirer, Portman will report next week that he has $5 million in his re-election account.

On Tuesday, federal candidates have to file new disclosure reports showing how much they raised from April through June – as well as how much cash they had in the bank at the end of that period.

Portman raised almost $500,000 over the last three months. His $5 million cash-on-hand total is likely to put him well ahead of other senators who, like him, are up for re-election in 2016. Whether Portman is raising so much money in anticipation of a tough battle for re-election in Ohio – or to lay the groundwork for a national campaign – is an open question.

Any statewide race in Ohio is likely to be bitterly fought and extremely expensive. Sen. Sherrod Brown raised $24.8 million for his successful Senate campaign in 2012. His GOP opponent, state Treasurer Josh Mandel, raised nearly $19 million.

Portman told Ohio reporters Thursday that he’s planning to run for a second term in the Senate, but that he’s also open to a White House run if he doesn’t think the GOP field is strong.

“If I don’t see other candidates providing that (a strong Republican platform) who I believe could win a general election, I will take a look at it,” Portman, of Terrace Park, said of the presidential race.

“But right now, I’m planning just to run for Senate in Ohio.”

Portman has more recently touted his role in trying to help Republicans win a majority in the Senate.

The GOP has to pick up six Senate seats to take over the chamber.

Portman is serving as vice chairman for finance of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Senate GOP’s campaign arm. In that capacity, he raised more than $13 million for the committee and GOP Senate candidates since January 2013, according to a source familiar with Portman’s fundraising. ⬛